Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - The trouble with Bibs ?

Bibs come highly recommended here, and I suspect it is because they don't show skin between your shorts and jersey.

Two questions then:
Do you need to take off the shoulder straps in order to take a leak?
Do you wear the bib over or under your jersey?

If you wear the bibs under your jersey then you need to take off your jersey before you lower your bibs when nature calls. This all seems rather complicated to me.

What's your experience with bibs?

I prefer bibs because i have no butt to speak of, and that unfortunately means that typical shorts naturally migrate below the equator while riding, and that also usually causes the chamois to creep forward moving it off of my sitbones. Shorts are just not pleasant for me to ride in. And i knwo it sounds weird, but I also prefer the added sense of "tightness" the bibs give. Its hard to explain, but i feel better having some slight compression, like somehow it will make me faster, lol. And yes, the gut factor does play heavily into bibs as well. Especially as it doesnt cut into your waist, or have as many rub points for chafing to occur around your waste or upper thigh from bunching.

Personally for me, i wear a base layer shirt (usually long sleeve because i have sensitive skin that goes from pale to burnt in a couple hours), my bibs, then my jersey over it. Most of my jerseys are full length zip, which makes it alot easier to manage nature breaks.
Likewise it can also depend on the bib. I have two pair of bibs, and one pair has a bit more elastic leading up to the suspenders, while the other has mesh fabric for the entire suspender system. On the former, I can adjust the straps forward, and have enough room to manage my tackle without to much contortion. In the other bibs with the full mesh, i have to drop the suspenders. One because they dont stretch, and two because the bib front come sup higher on them, and does have as much of a U cut out to really work with.
However, I have gotten to the point, with practice, that i can unzip my jersey, turn it partially inside out while dropping the straps off my shoulder to my elbow, take care of my business, then pull the straps back up like a backpack, and turn my jersey right side out back onto my shoulders, zip up, and away i go. Worst comes to worse, i just take my jersey off and tie it to my bike. Everyone in the porta potty line can just deal with it. ;) And usually, if i have to pee, its probably also a good time to lube up the chamois again, so with the jersey and suspenders off, no time like the present.

Obviously its all personal preference, but i wouldnt ride on anything other then bibs for any ride over 30 miles. And realistically, i rarely do over 10 miles in shorts if i can at all help it.

Jersey goes under, as for bio break no problem. Yank up one of the legs pull out willy and go. As for our lady friends I have no advice....lol

Jersey goes under, as for bio break no problem. Yank up one of the legs pull out willy and go. As for our lady friends I have no advice....lol

Huh? :twitchy:


How exactly are you supposed to get to the pockets in the back of your jersey if your bibs are over them?

Not to mention you look kinda ridiculous.

Jersey goes OVER the bibs.

Jersey goes over bibs. When you have to unhydrate, pull the front of your jersey up, pull the front of your bibs down (shoulder straps still up), then whip it out. This works best with bibs that are cut low. For high cuts, I'd guess you need to do the leg trick.

The regular falconi bibs are very difficult to achieve this mission. The velowear ones are rather easy. So it depends on the bibs. Jersey on the outside otherwise just wear a wicking Tee shirt.

The key with bibs (if you need to fully drop them to do your business) is a full-zip jersey. No screwing around with losing stuff from the pockets as you remove it; just unzip and take it off like a jacket and hang it up.

The front of the bibs is just low enough and the material just stretchy enough for me to be able to 'flop' over the top and pee in a fairly conventional way. Have never tried to sneak one out the side via the leg of the bibs.

I agree with the comment above about full length zip jerseys. Much easier if you do need to take the jersey off to allow for a 'number 2'.

Do they make bibs with zippers to make dehydrating easier? Kayakers have dry suits with a special zipper for this purpose ... it seems like someone must have thought of this for cyclists?

The regular falconi bibs are very difficult to achieve this mission.

I've never noticed this... The Falconi Deluxe bibs I own are actually easier to pull down than the $250 Assos FI.Mille bibs, which are cut a bit higher in the front. Taller guys might need to bend forward at the waist slightly; that usually relieves some of the tension on the should straps, making it easier to pull the bibs down.

full length zipper worn over the bibs and mine are low cut so I can simply just pull down the front and whip it out. you guys that whip it out the leg hole must have some awfully small legs or rather baggy bibs.

I have a couple pairs of PI PRO bibs that are a size L. I like the way they fit - nice and tight - but they don't have enough slack in the fabric for...ummmm....maneuvering. Easy enough to lift the jersey over your shoulders but leave it around your neck, bring the suspender straps down, and take care of business. Like was mentioned earlier, on long rides this provides a good opportunity for more chamois cream.

you guys that whip it out the leg hole must have some awfully small legs or rather baggy bibs.

That's sort of what I was thinking.

Whoa.... and I thought I was postponing on a bib purchase for financial reasons.
I guess wearing a rubber-band is outa the question if the ride is longer than 50 miles?

Do they make bibs with zippers to make dehydrating easier? Kayakers have dry suits with a special zipper for this purpose ... it seems like someone must have thought of this for cyclists?

I think women's specific bibs have this.

Do they make bibs with zippers to make dehydrating easier? Kayakers have dry suits with a special zipper for this purpose ... it seems like someone must have thought of this for cyclists?

Selle SMP makes a pair. I wouldn't chance it, though. The whole point behind cycling shorts is to have comfort designed features like flatlock seams on the fabric and a seamless wicking pad to avoid chafing your unit.

If you really need to be able to TCB without removing your jersey, get a pair of button-clip style suspenders for your shorts. You can unhook the suspenders and not disturb any clothing above the waist. I use suspenders on my insulated pants when backcountry snow camping, that way I don't have to take off my jacket when it's freezing cold out.

Bibs prevent
http://www.infdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/fhdafhdjhfda.jpg

Do they make bibs with zippers to make dehydrating easier? Kayakers have dry suits with a special zipper for this purpose ... it seems like someone must have thought of this for cyclists?

Chafing & rubbing is the #1 problem "down there" for cyclists. I wouldn't want to have anything metal (or hard plastic) near that area. Even though the zipper probably wouldn't go into the area between the legs, the tops of my thighs, stomach over-hang, etc... I could all envision being irritated the zipper.

All I ride in are bibs. As noted, most of the can be managed by pulling jersey up, shorts down. For the PI bibs, it's possible to reach under the jersey, slip a strap down one or both arms (think like a bra), and slip shots down enough to accomplish what is required.

Jerseys go on the outside, unless you're trying to look like a male Madonna or something. Inner t-shirt for cold days can go under.

(Am I the only one who doesn't need to urinate every time I get on the bike? I'm usually trying to make up for lost sweat!)

Chafing & rubbing is the #1 problem "down there" for cyclists. I wouldn't want to have anything metal (or hard plastic) near that area. Even though the zipper probably wouldn't go into the area between the legs, the tops of my thighs, stomach over-hang, etc... I could all envision being irritated the zipper.

What if the zipper had a pull-to-the-side lining behind it? Sort of like how the fly in the cargo pants I'm wearing right now has some fabric in front of the zipper, to hide it? That would keep it from rubbing your junk directly, the fabric could still wick, etc. ( My girlfriend likes to modify clothes, and wants to augment her income by making and improving cycling clothes and selling them on etsy. After reading this thread, I'm wondering if I should suggest this to her? )

I guess you can always just pee while you're riding (http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=3467762;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25). :eek:

Yes, please... Jersey goes over the bib straps. All my bins are low enough cut to allow "removal" for a natural break

(Am I the only one who doesn't need to urinate every time I get on the bike? I'm usually trying to make up for lost sweat!)

Nope, over the last year I've done dozens of 40 mile rides, several 50 mile rides and 1 metric century. The grand total of times I've had to pee while riding is...1. And I drink quite a bit while riding, especially here in DFW during the 100 degree weather we've been having (about 44 oz per hour or a little more), but I tend to sweat out any liquids I put in me.

I guess I have been lucky myself, no problems on longer rides having to stop and pee...4+ hours. I guess I sweat it all out.

I guess you can always just pee while you're riding (http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=3467762;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25). :eek:

If you're good enough that it would cost you a podium spot not to, then you're justified. If you're finishing midpack and whizzing on your bike you're just doing it because you like riding around in soiled nappies. (Reading the descriptions on SlowTwit, I'm fairly certain it's the latter for most of them.)

I don't like bibs.

I'm bigger in my hips, legs, and butt; and bibs tend to go GO WAY TOO LOW in the front to wear in public.

I also have a bad habit of pulling-up my jersey to wipe my eyes and face when I'm really sweaty, and am pretty hairy on my stomach. A friend pointed out once that people wonder what kind of "hair" they are looking at when I wipe my face when wearing bibs.